Pop star Robbie Williams has reportedly taken strike action against his record label EMI, by refusing to deliver his new album.

The 33-year-old, who signed an £80 million deal with the music giant, is allegedly protesting against the actions of the company's new owner, private equity firm Terra Firma.

It comes as the company gets set to sack around a reported 1,000 members of staff.

Williams' manager is reported to have accused Guy Hands, the new financier boss of EMI, of behaving like a "plantation owner".

Tim Clark told a newspaper: "The question is, 'Should Robbie deliver the new album he is due to release to EMI?'

"We have to say the answer is 'No'. We have no idea how EMI will market and promote the album."

He added: "They do not have anyone in the digital sphere capable of doing the job required. All we know is they are going to decimate their staff."

Williams, who has sold 70 million records with the record company, was expected to release his new album in September.

The record company has already cost its new boss £260 million after its share of the British album market fell from 16 per cent to 9 per cent in 2007.

Sales have been affected by the growing trend in digital downloading and the release of several high-profile albums which did not meet expectations.

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